Tom Ellis on Embracing Morally Gray Roles in CIA After Lucifer

In the heart of Chicago’s River North neighborhood, where the glow of neon signs from jazz clubs and late-night diners reflects off the Chicago River, a different kind of transformation is unfolding—not just in the city’s skyline, but in the stories we consume. Tom Ellis, the Welsh actor who once played the devil himself in the hit series Lucifer, has traded celestial rebellion for earthly espionage in CBS’s new drama CIA. For Chicagoans, this shift isn’t just a change in TV programming. it’s a reflection of how our city’s own complex identity—part gritty urban realism, part high-stakes corporate intrigue—mirrors the morally ambiguous characters now dominating our screens.

Ellis’s journey from the Prince of Darkness to a CIA operative named Colin Glass isn’t just a career pivot; it’s a cultural moment. After six seasons of Lucifer, where he portrayed a charismatic, rule-breaking antihero who found redemption in Los Angeles, Ellis has now landed in a role that feels tailor-made for Chicago’s duality. Here, where the FBI’s Chicago field office on Roosevelt Road operates in the shadow of the Willis Tower, and where the city’s history of political corruption and law enforcement scandals has blurred the lines between decent and evil, CIA’s premise—centering on a spy forced to team up with a straight-laced FBI agent—resonates deeply. It’s a story that could just as easily unfold in the backrooms of City Hall as it does in the sterile corridors of Langley.

The Morally Gray Character: A Perfect Fit for Chicago’s Cultural Landscape

Chicago has long been a city of contradictions. It’s the birthplace of community organizing and machine politics, the home of blues legends and corrupt aldermen, a place where idealism and cynicism coexist in uneasy harmony. Ellis’s career trajectory—from playing a fallen angel to a spy navigating the murky ethics of intelligence work—mirrors this duality. In Lucifer, his character was a literal embodiment of moral ambiguity, a being who defied divine authority yet found humanity in solving crimes. In CIA, he’s Colin Glass, a character whose loyalties and methods are constantly questioned, much like the real-world figures who operate in Chicago’s own gray zones.

For Chicagoans, this isn’t just entertainment; it’s a familiar narrative. The city has produced its share of morally complex figures, from former Mayor Richard J. Daley, whose administration was both revered for its infrastructure projects and reviled for its heavy-handed tactics, to former Governor Rod Blagojevich, whose fall from grace was as dramatic as any TV plot. Even the city’s sports teams reflect this duality: the Cubs, beloved for their underdog story, and the Blackhawks, whose legacy is now intertwined with the dark history of sexual abuse scandals. Ellis’s role in CIA feels less like a departure and more like a natural evolution—a story that Chicagoans, with their deep appreciation for nuance, are uniquely equipped to understand.

The show’s premise likewise taps into Chicago’s long-standing relationship with law enforcement and intelligence. The city is home to one of the FBI’s largest field offices, and its history of organized crime—from Al Capone to the Outfit—has made it a hotbed for undercover operations. The idea of a CIA operative working alongside the FBI isn’t just a TV trope; it’s a reality that has played out in Chicago’s streets for decades. In 2014, for example, the FBI and CIA collaborated on a high-profile investigation into a suspected terrorist plot targeting the city’s financial district. For locals, CIA isn’t just a procedural—it’s a glimpse into the kind of operations that have shaped the city’s modern identity.

From Hollywood to the Windy City: Why Chicagoans Are Tuning In

Chicago’s entertainment industry has always had a complicated relationship with Hollywood. While the city has served as a filming location for countless movies and TV shows—from The Dark Knight to Chicago PD—it has often been relegated to the role of a backdrop rather than a character in its own right. CIA, still, feels different. The show’s focus on the tension between federal agencies and the moral compromises of intelligence work aligns with Chicago’s own narrative of resilience and reinvention. It’s a story that resonates in a city where the lines between hero and villain are often blurred by circumstance.

For Chicago’s creative community, Ellis’s role in CIA is also a source of inspiration. The city’s theater scene, from the Goodman Theatre to Steppenwolf, has long been a training ground for actors who specialize in complex, morally ambiguous roles. Ellis’s career—spanning British sitcoms, sci-fi epics, and now a network procedural—reflects the kind of versatility that Chicago actors aspire to. His ability to balance charm with intensity, humor with gravitas, is a skill honed in the city’s own improv and comedy clubs, where performers learn to navigate the unpredictable nature of live performance.

CIA arrives at a time when Chicago is increasingly being recognized as a hub for storytelling that challenges traditional narratives. Shows like The Bear, which explores the gritty reality of running a restaurant in the city, and Shameless, which delves into the struggles of a working-class family on the South Side, have put Chicago on the map as a place where complex, character-driven stories can thrive. CIA fits neatly into this trend, offering a fresh take on the procedural genre that feels distinctly Chicagoan in its approach.

The Local Impact: How CIA Reflects Chicago’s Professional Landscape

Beyond entertainment, CIA’s themes of collaboration, trust, and moral compromise have real-world implications for Chicago’s professional community. The city is home to a thriving ecosystem of intelligence, law enforcement, and cybersecurity professionals, many of whom operate in the same gray areas as Colin Glass. For these individuals, the show isn’t just escapism—it’s a reflection of their daily realities.

Take, for example, the city’s growing cybersecurity sector. Chicago is home to major firms like Trustwave, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, and a host of boutique consultancies that specialize in protecting businesses from digital threats. These professionals often find themselves navigating the same ethical dilemmas as Ellis’s character: How much surveillance is too much? When does protecting the public cross the line into infringing on civil liberties? The show’s exploration of these questions is particularly relevant in a city where cybersecurity breaches have made headlines, from the 2019 ransomware attack on the city’s public school system to the 2021 hack of a major healthcare provider.

Similarly, CIA’s focus on interagency collaboration mirrors the challenges faced by Chicago’s law enforcement and intelligence communities. The city’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, a partnership between the FBI, Chicago Police Department, and other agencies, operates in much the same way as the show’s fictional team—balancing competing priorities, sharing intelligence, and navigating the complexities of federal and local jurisdictions. For professionals in these fields, CIA offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of their world, albeit with a Hollywood sheen.

What This Means for Chicagoans: A Resource Guide for Navigating the Gray Areas

Given my background in covering the intersection of media, technology, and urban culture, I’ve seen firsthand how stories like CIA can spark conversations about the real-world implications of the narratives we consume. If you’re a Chicagoan intrigued by the show’s themes—or if you work in a field where moral ambiguity is part of the job—here are three types of local professionals who can help you navigate these complexities:

Boutique Cybersecurity Consultants

In a city where data breaches and cyber threats are an ever-present risk, finding a cybersecurity consultant who understands the ethical implications of their work is crucial. Look for firms that prioritize transparency and have experience working with both public and private sector clients. Key criteria to consider:

• Local Expertise: Has the firm worked with Chicago-based businesses or government agencies? Experience with the city’s unique regulatory landscape is a plus.
• Ethical Frameworks: Do they have a clear code of ethics? Ask how they handle situations where protecting data might conflict with legal or moral obligations.
• Collaborative Approach: Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about people. Look for consultants who emphasize training and awareness programs for employees.

Federal and Local Law Enforcement Liaisons

For professionals in law enforcement, intelligence, or related fields, navigating the relationship between federal and local agencies can be challenging. A liaison with experience in interagency collaboration can help bridge gaps and foster trust. When seeking out these professionals, consider:

• Track Record: Have they successfully facilitated partnerships between agencies in the past? Look for case studies or references from previous clients.
• Understanding of Local Dynamics: Chicago’s political and social landscape is unique. A liaison who understands the city’s history and culture will be better equipped to navigate its complexities.
• Conflict Resolution Skills: Moral ambiguity often leads to disagreements. A good liaison should have a proven ability to mediate conflicts and find common ground.

Ethics and Compliance Advisors

Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, or technology, ethical dilemmas are a fact of life. An ethics and compliance advisor can help you develop frameworks for making tough decisions. When evaluating these professionals, look for:

• Industry-Specific Experience: Ethics in healthcare, for example, are very different from ethics in finance. Choose an advisor with experience in your field.
• Proactive Approach: The best advisors don’t just react to crises—they help you anticipate and prepare for ethical challenges before they arise.
• Chicago Connections: Local knowledge matters. An advisor familiar with Chicago’s regulatory environment can provide more relevant guidance.

Chicago’s identity has always been shaped by its ability to embrace complexity. From its political history to its cultural contributions, the city thrives in the gray areas. CIA, with its morally ambiguous characters and high-stakes storytelling, is just the latest example of how Chicago’s narrative continues to evolve. Whether you’re a fan of the show or simply someone who appreciates the nuances of a good story, there’s no denying that Tom Ellis’s latest role is a perfect fit for a city that has always seen the world in shades of gray.

Ready to find trusted professionals who can help you navigate Chicago’s complex landscape? Browse our complete directory of top-rated experts in the Chicago area today.